RUSTON - When people think of Iceland, they may think of the phenomenon of the Northern Lights or the geological beauties of lava fields and volcanoes or the junior hockey rival of the USA in the movie D2: The Mighty Ducks.

But for Louisiana Tech goalkeeper Caitlin Updyke, the small Nordic island will be thought of as home as the Lady Techster who has been in net for the past four years will be playing professional soccer this summer in Akranes for the IA Akranes.

"I am looking forward to the entire experience," said Updyke who owns the career records for most saves, wins and shutouts in program history. "I am excited about learning a new style of soccer and coaching, meeting new people, and the fact that I will get to explore a new part of the world and learn a new culture."

The native of Broomfield, Colo. will join just a few other foreigners on a club competing in the Pepsi Deildin which translates to The Pepsi League, the country's professional division.

Updyke capped her career at LA Tech with one of her most impressive seasons in goal, anchoring a team as the lone senior en route to being named second team All-Conference USA, chosen by the 16 league coaches.

She registered four shutouts against C-USA foes and recorded a career-high 12 saves against conference champion Colorado College. By season's end, she racked up 85 saves, the most ever in a single season.

"I am really happy for Caitlin," said LA Tech head coach Kevin Sherry. "I think it is well deserved because she is such a motivated player who has worked really hard at her game. This is a just reward and we are all very proud of her."

Updyke becomes the third player in LA Tech history to go on to play professional soccer. Olivia Lukasewich played in Scotland for the Spartans Women's and Girls' Football Club of the Scottish Women's Premier League and Scotti Culton played for the Colorado Rapids Women based out of Fort Collins, Colo. of the W-League.

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